EXPERT ANSWER

During froth floatation process, substances are used to stabilize the froth so that they can be easily skimmed off and purified. These substances are called froth stabilizers. Example: cresol and aniline.

Froth stabilizers are those substances which help stabilise the froth formed during froth floatation process. Have you ever noticed that when you wash your hands with liquid soap, froth is formed and this foam is quite short lived (must be because the froth is not stable) in the same way in order to get froth that is stable , so that the froth can be skimmed off easily, froth stabilisers are added. Additional knowledge in this regards is not required for the exams. We dont need to write a thesis on it!! ;-P

Ore contains rocky impurities which are needed to be separated before processing. This process is called concentration of ore. The principle of froth flotation process is that sulphide ores are preferentially wetted by the pine oil, whereas the gangue particles are wetted by the water. In this process, a suspension of a powdered ore is made with water. In this process, a suspension of a powdered ore is made with water.

Collectors like pine oil, fatty acids and xanthates are added to it. Froth stabilizers like cresols, aniline stabilize the froth. The minerals particles become wet by oils while gangue particles by water. The mixture is agitated with the help of mechanical stirrer by passing blast of air. The froth is formed which is lighter and skimmed off. The froth is dried for recovery of the ore particles.